This year in Durham County, thousands of homeowners opened their mail to find shocking property tax bills—some doubled overnight. Longtime residents who worked hard to buy and keep their homes are now staring down impossible payments. For many, especially those on fixed incomes, the choice is stark: pay these inflated taxes or risk losing the homes they’ve built their lives around.

Durham’s countywide reappraisal, the first since 2019, has left families reeling. Some saw increases of $1,100 to $1,400 in a single year. More than 10,000 residents filed appeals, but the deadline has already passed. Now, families who never asked for skyrocketing property values are being told to pay up or go through lengthy state-level appeals they can’t easily navigate.

Officials say the hikes reflect Durham’s “growth” and will fund vital services. But growth should not mean pushing homeowners out. Schools and social programs must be funded without crushing the very taxpayers who make up the heart of this community. Families who have lived in Durham for decades, who raised children here, who paid off their mortgages here, should not be punished for staying in their homes.

Durham County does have a Low-Income Homeowners Relief Program, but its strict rules leave too many families without help. Relief is limited only to certain income levels, with barriers that shut out struggling middle-income families who are still overwhelmed by sudden increases.

We demand immediate action. The Durham County Board of Commissioners must expand property tax relief programs and work with the North Carolina Property Tax Commission to extend appeal deadlines so homeowners get a fair chance. Commissioners should explore emergency offsets or adjustments to prevent mass displacement.

Durham families cannot wait until next year. If nothing changes, thousands could fall into debt, foreclosure, or be forced to leave the community they’ve built.

Sign if you agree homeowners deserve fair, affordable property taxes and real relief now.